More about adoption
Adding a new pet to your family is a big decision, but we’re here to help make that decision as easy as possible. To help set both you and your new pet up for success, learn how you can prepare to adopt.
Once you’re ready to adopt your new furry friend, our friendly adoption staff will work with you to find the right dog, cat, or critter for your home. Learn more about why you should adopt from AHS.
To help you prepare for your visit, here's what you can expect when you adopt a pet from Animal Humane Society.
1. Visit adoptable animals
Get started by checking our online adoption listings (updated every 20 minutes) or stop by one of our three adoption centers in the Twin Cities metro area.
It's important you spend time getting to know prospective pets. If you have questions or wish to visit with an animal, just ask a staff member or volunteer for assistance. For safety reasons, we ask that anyone 17 years old or younger is accompanied by an adult when visiting with an animal.
Did you know you can put an animal on hold?
If you've found an animal you love but you're not ready to bring them home immediately, you can put them on a 24-hour adoption hold for a small fee.
If you wish to put an animal on hold or to adopt an animal from AHS, you must be present at an AHS adoption center. We will not put animals on an adoption hold via a phone or email request, and we do not accept deposits toward an animal's adoption fee. In addition, puppies and kittens under six months of age cannot be placed on adoption hold.
2. Sit down for an adoption consultation
If you meet an animal you wish to adopt, we’ll sit down for an informal consultation to ensure that you and the pet you’ve selected are a good match.
Our adoption staff is there to answer any questions you may have about your potential new pet, as well as offer resources to support you on your adoption journey.
During this process we'll also review the animal’s medical and behavioral records, explain policies and services available to adopters, and help you choose the right pet supplies. Please plan to allow up to two hours to complete the adoption process.
Adoptions can be processed up to 30 minutes before closing time. Learn more about adoption fees at AHS, or read our adoption FAQs for more on what to expect.
3. Get ready to bring your new pet home
AHS will continue to support you and your pet at home. Our website is full of information that can make your pet's transition from the shelter to your home as stress-free as possible — including our Pet Resources Library, details about training programs at AHS, low-cost vet care, and more!
When you adopt an animal at AHS, you'll also receive a medical history report listing vaccinations, medications, and procedures your new pet received during its stay in our shelters. Read more about what kind of medical support AHS can provide after adoption.
We also know that sometimes things don’t work out as planned – and that’s okay! AHS will provide a credit for your full adoption fee if you choose to return your pet within 60 days of your adoption date.
Ready to adopt your new best friend?
Animal Humane Society has a variety of animals that are ready to be adopted into your family. View our list of animals available for adoption, or stop into one of our three shelter locations. You can also read Happy Tails stories from previous adoptions from AHS!
Questions?
Have more questions about our adoption process? Read adoption FAQs here. If you're still not finding the information you're looking for, call us at 952-435-7738 or send us a message.
